Representatives from the Ridge Route Preservation Organization, including myself, recently met with a few people from the Angeles National Forest regarding the Ridge Route. A summary of the meeting can be found on the ridgeroute.org site – http://www.ridgeroute.org/june-2019-update/ .
Category Archives: US 99
Featured Image – 12/11/2018
This is a section of abandoned roadway, paved in 1919, within Grapevine Canyon, near PM 8.0 on the east side of the canyon. This section was bypassed in 1933 by a newer alignment of US 99.
Fire in Grapevine Canyon, Kern County
It would seem that both ends of the Central Valley are having issues. Yesterday, a fire broke out along I-5 in Grapevine Canyon, known by Kern County Fire as the Water Fire, most likely named as it was near one of the watering holes along the grade. The cause may have been a truck fire which spread to vegetation. From photos and videos, it looks like the fire burned along the southbound side from near PM 7.0 to 7.5. This happens to by along my cleanup section. I will be doing a thorough investigation when time allows, most likely in October. This section includes a two sections with original wooden railing, albeit damaged from previous fires in the canyon. I will post photos on my Twitter account as well as this site when I get them.
For now, see the Kern County Fire twitter account for current details.
https://twitter.com/kerncountyfire/
Be safe out there and really be careful around the brush. Too many fires are being caused by carelessness, nevermind the fires that have been the result of arson.
US 99 – Tipton to Tulare
In doing some research recently, I found an original section of US 99 from Tipton to Tulare. It had been a while since I looked at maps of this section, as most of my research has concentrated between Los Angeles and Bakersfield. The map below shows the alignment of US 99 in 1926.
Until 1931, US 99, and by extension Legislative Route 4, went on the west side of the Southern Pacific tracks from current Ave 164 north of Tipton to Bardsley Ave in Tulare, following Tulare County Road 112. This section was most likely paved with a 20′ concrete slab around 1917.
The roadway also retains three original bridges. The two North Branch Tule River bridges (46C-0004 and 46C-0010 respectively) are from 1917 and retain their original pipe railing. Two other bridges, Elk Bayou and Bates Slough are also original, with the former dating to 1916. The telltale cracking of asphalt over concrete is also visible near the northern North Branch Tule River bridge to near Ave 184 at Octol.
The realignment in 1931 eliminated two railroad crossings without the use of bridges at the tracks. The new road was also built a little higher to help ease flooding problems that were common in the Central Valley. Today, some of the bridges built at that time still remain, albeit widened or otherwise modified.
For further information see – US 99 – Tipton
New Ridge Route Website
Recently, I became a board member of the Ridge Route Preservation Organization. This group is dedicated to helping preserve and promote the historic Ridge Route in southern California. One of the first things I have done as a part of this group is to create a new website for the group. This site is an offshoot of the “RidgeRoute.Com” site, hosted by Harrison Scott. The new site will give updates on the progress we make regarding the roadway as well as any other news pertinent to the Ridge Route. Come take a look at “http://ridgeroute.org“.